Ottawa County leaders say tax base could see uptick

WEST OLIVE, MI – Buoyed by an improving jobs picture and a boost in new home construction, Ottawa County officials say this year could show the first increase in the county’s tax base since 2009.

County Administrator Al Vanderberg on Tuesday, Feb. 26 issued that forecast as part of his State of the County address before the Board of Commissioners. Vanderberg said while the county planned its budget for this year to show no increase in property tax values, it is expected the tax base will show an increase by the end of the year.

Last year, construction of new single-family homes in the county jumped 57 percent from the year before, with increases also shown in construction of multi-family units as well as new commercial and industrial buildings. Residential units make up 70 percent of Ottawa’s tax base, Vanderberg said.

Combine that with a surge in new jobs that has dropped the county’s unemployment rate from 8.9 percent to 6.6 percent, county officials have reason for optimism. Still, Vanderberg says the county should still continue to maintain its prudent approach to spending taxpayer dollars.

“We have made the difficult trek through the Great Recession,” Vanderberg said. “It is now our responsibility to leave a legacy that will allow future generations of county leaders to stand tall on our shoulders.”

Ottawa has one of the lowest property tax rates in the entire state at 3.6 mills, and takes in $6.3 million less in property taxes than allowed under the Headlee cap, Vanderberg said.

Other goals Vanderberg outlined in his address include maintaining and improving communications with the public, employees and other stakeholders, as well as continuous improvement of the county organization and its services. One specific area the county will look at expanding its partnerships with local cities and townships, such as in Grand Haven, where the county worked out an agreement with city leaders last year to take over assessing services for the city.

“While we are not the 800-pound gorilla trying to build an empire, we do have a valuable administrative infrastructure,” Vanderberg said. “We are willing to work with any public, private or nonprofit partner on collaborative ventures that lower cost while maintaining or improving services.”

County board Chairman Jim Holtrop, R-Hudsonville, praised Vanderberg for committing the county to continually improving itself.

“As good as we are, we can always be better. It’s something we believe in as a county board,” Holtrop said.

Other initiatives the county plans to pursue this year include working with five other counties to create a regional Community Mental Health agency, undertake a cost and infrastructure study alongside the city of Grand Haven, Ottawa Area Intermediate School District and other organizations to identify opportunities for improvement, and develop a volunteer system that could result in young people being invited to participate in county boards and commissions, Vanderberg said.